Design Manager, Hosiery

Essential Job Function:

PEOPLE LEADERSHIP & TEAM DEVELOPMENT

• Lead mentor and inspire a team of designers and assistants; foster a collaborative high-performance environment that encourages creative risk-taking.
• Actively participate in attracting developing and retaining top design talent. Conduct regular performance evaluations and support individual career growth paths.
• Oversee daily operations for the creative team balancing workloads removing roadblocks and ensuring strict adherence to the seasonal product development calendar.
• Build strong productive relationships with Merchandising Product Development and Sales to ensure the design teams vision aligns with overarching brand and revenue goals

DESIGN EXPERTISE & CREATIVE VISION

• Drive seasonal trend research color palettes and material innovations specifically targeted at performance activewear and lifestyle hosiery.
• Hands-On CAD Execution:Act as a player-coach by directly executing design CADs tech packs and technical sketches in Adobe Illustrator when needed to support team bandwidth and meet critical deadlines.
• Apply deep knowledge of circular knitting advanced yarn technologies and knit execution to push the boundaries of fit comfort and athletic performance.
• Oversee the meticulous creation of tech packs and line sheets. Approve lab dips trims and final prototypes to ensure licensor and brand standards are met.
• Lead the design team in identifying and resolving complex fit construction and manufacturing issues during the sampling and production process.

Key Skills & Competencies

• People Leadership: Proven ability to attract retain and evaluate talent while actively managing the workflow and career development of design assistants and associates.
• Time & Project Management: Ability to plan prioritize and meet tight deadlines within a fast-paced product development calendar while balancing team workloads and multiple projects.
• Creative Problem Solving: Ability to respond to design and production challenges with innovative cost-effective and commercially viable solutions.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Ability to bridge the gap between creative design merchandising and production to ensure commercial viability and adherence to the development calendar.
• Adaptability: Flexible attitude with the ability to pivot quickly based on shifting market needs; operates successfully and positively in a constructive feedback culture.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience: 5 years in apparel or accessories design with a mandatory and proven track record insocks accessories and/or performance designing for mass-market retailers and/or developing private label programs is highly preferred.
• Leadership Record: 2 years of direct people management demonstrating the ability to guide evaluate and scale creative teams effectively.
• Technical Proficiency: Highly proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator Photoshop) PLM systems and Microsoft Office. Experience with 3D design tools (e.g. Clo3D) is a strong advantage.
• Trend Tools: Experience utilizing professional consumer trend-forecasting platforms (such as WGSN) and interpreting retail market analytics.
• Portfolio Required: A professional portfolio demonstrating advanced technical CAD abilities cohesive color/trend ideation structural knitwear understanding and commercialized product collections.

Education & Experience:

A Bachelors degree in Apparel/Textile Design Graphic Design or a related field of study OR an equivalent combination of education and years of industry experience.

Relevant Working Conditions & Physical Demands:

• Observe/Identify: The ability to observe fine product details colors stitch structures and physical samples/color standards at close range.
• Communicate: Ability to effectively communicate design concepts technical instructions and feedback to co-workers vendors and cross-functional teams.
• Operate: Write type and utilize standard computer systems specifically including highly repetitive use of MAC systems keyboards and digital monitors.
• Stationary Position: Must be able to remain in a stationary design position 5075% of the time.
• Mobility: Frequently move about the office to access sample archives design boards collaborate with other departments and attend meetings.
• Move/Transport: Ability to occasionally move or transport boxes of product samples or trend materials weighing up to 25 lbs. across the office with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Environment: Standard climate-controlled office environment with occasional exposure to open-air or warehouse settings during sample reviews.
• Travel: May require occasional domestic or international travel for retailer meetings trend shopping or factory visits.
• Flexibility: Workplace model is hybrid with fluctuating in-office days based on GTM milestones retail meetings and business needs.
• Attendance: Predictable attendance on site
• Work has deadlines multiple interruptions and may be stressful at times.